Phil
TWYFORD
Housing spokesperson

19 March 2014 MEDIA STATEMENT
No protection for disabled and seniors from eviction

Labour's Housing spokesperson Phil Twyford has called the Government's decision not to protect senior citizens and the disabled from eviction under its new state house policy "callous and heartless".

"Nick Smith and Paula Bennett are apparently happy to see pensioners and the disabled thrown out of their homes.

"According to media reports a Cabinet paper posted on the MSD website but later taken down, showed 20% of the tenants due to have their tenancies reviewed would be over-65, and 27 others would be "permanently and severely disabled".

"This move will cause untold anxiety and stress for the elderly and the disabled.

"National changed the law to give the Ministers the power to review the tenancies of anyone renting a state house. They could have chosen to protect certain vulnerable groups but they have clearly decided to put all state house tenants under the hammer.

"I am calling for the Government to give a cast iron guarantee that they will protect the elderly, the disabled and families with children who are school age and younger, from this policy.

"In the worst housing shortage in living memory, this Government refuses to increase the stock of state and social housing, and instead sends a message to pensioners and the disabled that they potentially face eviction.

"National's priorities are cruel and wrong."

ENDS

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